Abstract: A kit and method for evaluating in vitro the effect of a xenobiotic (e.g., a biologic drug) on drug metabolism in hepatocytes. The kit comprises a first culture of hepatocytes, a portion of in vitro xenobiotic-stimulated biological sample, and instructions for incubating the first culture of hepatocytes with the portion of in vitro xenobiotic-stimulated biological sample, and analyzing the activity, expression, or a combination thereof of a biomarker in the hepatocytes to evaluate the effect of the xenobiotic on drug metabolism in the hepatocytes.

Abstract: The invention provides cryopreserved compositions of cells, wherein the compositions are advantageously in the form of self-sustaining bodies that can be individually handled and combined independently of a container, allowing for easy customization of the eventual pooled preparation. The invention also provides pre-pooled stacks of the self-sustaining cryopreserved compositions for eventual thawing to produce pooled preparations of cells. A mold and methods for forming the self-sustaining bodies are also provided. The invention is also concerned with methods of forming pooled preparations of cells using single-cryopreserved compositions of cells.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the effect of a xenobiotic on biomarkers, such as drug transporters and drug-metabolizing enzymes in hepatocytes is provided. The method comprises the formation of a xenobiotic-stimulated biological sample, such as whole blood, which contains a plurality of cytokines. A portion of xenobiotic-stimulated biological sample is cultured with hepatocytes. The hepatocytes are then analyzed to evaluate the activity of drug transporters and/or drug-metabolizing enzymes, or other biomarkers to determine the effect of the xenobiotic on drug metabolism in the hepatocytes.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the effect of a xenobiotic on biomarkers, such as drug transporters and drug-metabolizing enzymes in hepatocytes is provided. The method comprises the formation of a xenobiotic-stimulated biological sample, such as whole blood, which contains a plurality of cytokines. A portion of xenobiotic-stimulated biological sample is cultured with hepatocytes. The hepatocytes are then analyzed to evaluate the activity of drug transporters and/or drug-metabolizing enzymes, or other biomarkers to determine the effect of the xenobiotic on drug metabolism in the hepatocytes.

Abstract: The invention provides cryopreserved compositions of cells, wherein the compositions are advantageously in the form of self-sustaining bodies that can be individually handled and combined independently of a container, allowing for easy customization of the eventual pooled preparation. The invention also provides pre-pooled stacks of the self-sustaining cryopreserved compositions for eventual thawing to produce pooled preparations of cells. A mold and methods for forming the self-sustaining bodies are also provided. The invention is also concerned with methods of forming pooled preparations of cells using single-cryopreserved compositions of cells.